MARCOS ADMINISTRATION COMPLETES DISTRIBUTION OF PATIENT TRANSPORT VEHICLES TO 82 PROVINCES  

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday announced the completion of the government’s nationwide provincial distribution of Patient Transport Vehicles (PTVs), ensuring that all local government units (LGUs) now have vehicles to transport patients and improve access to emergency medical services.

“Sa wakas, nakumpleto din natin ang pagbigay nitong patient transport vehicles at lahat na ng ating mga LGU, meron tayong masasabi na magagamit nila para sa kanilang pasyente,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said during the distribution of PTV held at San Fernando, Pampanga.

Each vehicle is equipped with essential medical equipment, including a stretcher, spine board, wheelchair, blood pressure monitor, first aid kit, and oxygen system. The vehicles also come with safety features such as an early warning device and a fire extinguisher.

President Marcos highlighted that all 82 provinces in the country now have at least one PTV that can be used to bring patients to and from health facilities during emergencies.

The milestone forms part of the administration’s flagship initiative to strengthen the country’s emergency medical response and expand Filipinos’ access to quality healthcare.

“Today is a little different because today, by giving the PTVs that we have behind us, we have now completed 100% distribution of PTVs to every province, to every city, to every municipality in the Philippines,” the President added.

On Friday, President Marcos, together with First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, led the distribution of 34 additional PTVs to local government units in Northern and Central Luzon.

The President said the PTVs may be used free of charge to transport patients to and from health facilities.

President Marcos earlier directed the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to provide at least one Patient Transport Vehicle to every city and municipality nationwide.

Of the 34 units turned over on Friday, 14 were allocated to Region III, six to the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), six to Region I, and eight to Region II.

The six PTVs for CAR were distributed to Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province.

In Region I, one unit each was given to Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur, while La Union and Pangasinan received two units each.

Meanwhile, Region II received two units each for Batanes, Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, and Quirino.

The Chief Executive said the next phase of the project will involve providing boats to local government units (LGUs) to ensure faster transportation for passengers living in island communities.

“At kung titingnan ninyo, doon naman me display me barko doon na maliit na ‘yun ang isusunod namin dahil siyempre, maraming isla dito sa Pilipinas, papaaano pag ang pasyente ililipat, bubuhatin pa, dadalhin sa barko, bababa, etc. Ngayon, ang gagawin sa design na yan, isasakay na yung transport, isasakay na dun sa barko kaya yung pasyente hindi na kailangan bumaba doon sa kaniyang transport vehicle,” the President further said.

Present at the turnover ceremony were Atty. Melquiades A. Robles, General Manager of the PCSO; Retired Judge Felix P. Reyes, Chairperson of the PCSO; and 21 provincial governors who received the PTV on behalf of their respective provinces.